Adjacent Words

viola da gamba definitions

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WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: viol that is the bass member of the viol family with approximately the range of the cello [syn: viola da gamba, gamba, bass viol]

Merriam Webster's

noun (plural violas da gamba or viole da gamba) Etymology: Italian, leg viol Date: 1597 a bass member of the viol family having a range approximating the cello • violist da gamba noun

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Viola Vi"o*la, n. [It. See Viol.] (Mus.) An instrument in form and use resembling the violin, but larger, and a fifth lower in compass. Viola da braccio [It., viol for the arm], the tenor viol, or viola, a fifth lower than the violin. Its part is written in the alto clef, hence it is sometimes called the alto. Viola da gamba [It., viol for the leg], an instrument resembling the viola, but larger, and held between the knees. It is now rarely used. Viola da spalla [It., viol for the shoulder], an instrument formerly used, resembling the viola, and intermediate in size between the viola and the viola da gamba. Viola di amore [It., viol of love: cf. F. viole d'amour], a viol, larger than the viola, having catgut strings upon, and brass or steel wires under, the keyboard. These, sounding sympathetically with the strings, yield a peculiarly soft and silvery sound. It is now seldom used.